Every Calgary home requires residential roof repairs at some point to maintain its safety and integrity. Our city’s often harsh weather conditions can take a huge toll on your roof over time, making it important to handle repairs promptly and ensure you’re maintaining your roof often.
In this blog, we’re discussing the five most common roof repairs that Calgary homeowners encounter. By understanding these common issues and addressing them as soon as they arise, you can extend the life of your roof and protect your home from expensive damages down the road.
The Roof Repairs We See Most
The most common types of roof damage result from harsh weather, aging, or general wear and tear. Addressing these issues promptly is important, as neglecting necessary repairs can lead to more severe problems and potentially cause costly damage to your home.
1. Ventilation
Poor roof ventilation can cause your shingles to overheat and blister, creating conditions for mould and mildew growth and potentially rotting your roof’s soffit and fascia. When not repaired promptly, these issues can attract pests and even cause your roof to collapse.
To correct ventilation problems, we recommend ensuring that your insulation isn’t obstructing vents. We can also add a ridge vent along the length of your roof to maintain proper airflow.
2. Leaks
Even the sturdiest homes can experience leaks and water damage, which, when left untreated, can lead to mould and structural damage. Missing shingles or poorly insulated flashing are common causes of roof leaks. They may go unnoticed until a dark water stain appears on your ceiling, which indicates a significant puddle on your roof.
It’s important to attend to roof leaks as quickly as possible. Consult our roofing experts to assess the damage and provide you with professional repairs.
3. Skylight
Skylights are ceiling windows that allow sunlight to enter your home. Water can run down the roof slope and collect around the flat edges of your skylight, causing corrosion. Additionally, skylights can crack, leading to water leaks during heavy rainstorms.
If skylight cracks and corrosion aren’t addressed promptly, they can lead to much bigger problems throughout your home.
4. Gutters
Maintaining clean gutters is vital to ensuring that your roof performs optimally. Gutters are meant to drain water away, but when they become clogged with debris like branches and leaves, water can pool on your roof. This leads to rot and puts extra weight on your gutters, potentially causing them to collapse.
Clean your gutters at least twice per year to prevent roof issues, and consider installing gutter guards to keep leaves and debris out.
5. Flashing
Flashing is the material that protects the seams and joints of your roof, keeping water away from vulnerable areas such as walls, chimneys, and dormers. Issues with flashing typically arise when it’s not installed correctly. Over time, flashing can come loose or curl, leading to water intrusion.
Though flashing damage can take time to actually cause major issues, it’s still important to fix it as soon as issues arise. Regular inspections can identify issues early on, ensuring that minor problems like sealant tears don’t turn into bigger, more expensive problems.
Should You Pay for Roof Repairs or Have It Replaced?
Deciding between residential roof repairs and replacement can be challenging, but considering several factors can lead you to the right decision.
First, assess the age of your roof. If it’s nearing or beyond its expected lifespan, replacement may be more cost-effective in the long run. On the other hand, if your roof is relatively new and the damage is localized, repairs can often do the trick.
Also, consider the extent and severity of the damage. Targeted repairs can resolve your issue efficiently if it’s limited to a few shingles or tiles. Widespread issues or significant damage to one single area may indicate the need for a full replacement.
Professional Residential Roof Repair in Calgary
A professional roofing contractor can help you determine the condition of your roof and ensure that recommendations are tailored to your unique situation and needs.
Whether your gutters, flashing, or something else requires attention, Optik Roofing can help. Our licensed, local experts can ensure that your roof repairs are completed efficiently and affordably.
Contact us today to schedule an estimate.